{"id":184634,"date":"2025-09-08T15:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T19:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cyberlego.com\/web\/2025\/09\/08\/2025-cma-awards-nominations-snubs-surprises\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T15:12:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T19:12:14","slug":"2025-cma-awards-nominations-snubs-surprises","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberlego.com\/web\/2025\/09\/08\/2025-cma-awards-nominations-snubs-surprises\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 CMA Awards Nominations: Snubs &\u00a0Surprises"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\tThe final nominees for the 59th\u00a0annual CMA Awards were revealed Monday<\/a> (Sept. 8), and this year\u2019s nominations highlighted\u00a0the impact a number of newcomers have had on the genre over the past several months.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tMegan Moroney<\/a>, Ella Langley<\/a> and Zach Top<\/a>, all of whom have come into prominence over the past two years, are among the top nominees. Moroney and Langley tied with Lainey Wilson<\/a>, who only received her first nomination three years ago, for artists with the most nominations with six, while Top leads all males with five nods.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tUp for the night\u2019s biggest prize, entertainer of the year, are last year\u2019s winner, Morgan Wallen<\/a>, and three of his fellow 2024 nominees Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton and Wilson. Rounding out the category is Cody Johnson, who receives his first nod in the category.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe awards are voted on by the CMA\u2019s professional members, which number more than 7,100. Eligibility period was July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. According to CMA rules, \u201csingles, albums, music videos and qualified music products for the annual show must have been released or reached peak national prominence during the eligibility period.\u201d\u00a0The \u201creached peak national prominence\u201d caveat is key since it allows some leeway in terms of nominations. For example, Langley and Riley Green\u2019s \u201cyou look like you love me\u201d won last year for musical event of the year, but snags several more nods this year including for single and song of the year, as the tune grew even more popular after last year\u2019s eligibility cut off.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tThe 59th annual CMA Awards will broadcast live from Nashville\u2019s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00\u201311:00 p.m. ET) on ABC and next day on Hulu.<\/p>\n

\n\tBelow, we look at some of the largest snubs and surprises from Monday\u2019s nominations.<\/p>\n